Out with the old, in with the new | Marita Moloney

Marita Moloney sees the end of the term as a beginning for new trends and an opportunity to wave good-bye to some old ones. With this being the last edition of the Express for the college term, the opportunity for an end of year theme issue presents itself. As regards fashion, this allows us to contemplate the trends, styles, apparel and accessories which we will be wearing in the forthcoming months and also which we will be banishing to the back of our wardrobes.The arrival of Spring encourages us to cleanse and analyse our sartorial outlook, and in the process allows us to redefine the key pieces we will be brandishing for the season, as well as those items which will remain unworn (in some cases, thankfully) until the fashion world deems them in vogue again. In an industry where reinvention is pivotal, this essential need for transformation and a sense of newness is passed to the masses, and so it is unsurprising that we naturally diversify our looks.Therefore, I have compiled a list containing what I, in my humble opinion, as well as many of the renowned fashion elite, believe will be intrinsic elements of our style aesthetic and other which must vanquish their roles as fashion main-players.In with the (not so) new: 90's style: Often we must examine the past to look towards the future, and the nostalgic grunge of this defining era exemplifies that. 2012 marked the comeback of the decade and in turn the resurgence of the quintessential looks of the time, with no signs of this trend loosing pace in 2013. Rihanna's recent collection for high street fashion giant River Island presented a deluge of throwbacks to the time, with sweaters attached to skirts, cropped tops and an assortment of denim featuring strongly. These items in particular, amongst others such as (dare I say it) dungarees, backpacks, all things acid washed and cartoon printed, are imminently prevalent pieces. There is also no denying the moment in the spotlight that the simple jumpsuit is having this year, transcending its modest roots from the early 1900s as a garment cut from one piece of canvas to become a closet essential with its no-fuss, contemporary feel.     Hats: Not only a practical and indispensable accessory for everyone’s closet no matter the climate, a hat can add accompanying oomph to any outfit, while in turn protecting you from the elements. It is evident from magazines, stores and style aficionados that any fashion savvy devotee worth their salt will be donning some headgear before long. The stratospheric rise of designers’ model of choice, the inimitable Cara Delevingne, has resulted in a monumental return to the fore of the beanie hat. Guaranteed to be the accessory of choice this year, this versatile and edgy addition injects a distinctive sense of cool to any outfit. Helmut-style and baseball caps were also making their presence felt on the catwalks this season, but a word of warning: these daring styles are not for the faint-hearted fashion maven. Worth mentioning are the more classic and demure fedora, trilby and bowler hats. No less charismatic than their on trend counterparts, these are perpetually stylish adornments that rarely fail to make an impact.     Bold colour: Not so new but most definitely in is the inescapable blast of colour hitting us this season. Spring usually formulates visions of soft pastels in complementary shades to ease ourselves out of the gloomy slump of the sombre, murky tones of winter, but not this year as fashion packs a powerful punch in an abundance of hues. The majestic return of royal blue is a welcome replacement for insipid neutrals, providing a pop of colour that accomplishes, to no mean feat, in flattering all skin tones. As well as this, a plethora of other vibrant shades such as emerald green, poppy red and, surprisingly, all things neon prevail in succeeding as the outstanding colours du jour.Out with the old: Fortunately, fashion is constantly revolving and redefining what is deemed current and in style, so I will admit to being ambiguous in saying that it is difficult to pinpoint what individual trends and pieces are taking a backwards step this year. I believe that there are many that have run their course, such as (controversially, due to their seemingly enduring popularity) the peplum shape, cut-outs, and military-print adorned everything. However, any diminishing prominence of these styles is merely seasonal, and there are some looks that should never be accepted by anyone worth their credentials.Over-zealous makeup: Spring/Summer 2013 on the catwalks presented fresh-faced, minimal makeup, and although the models may have unblemished skin and an army to perfect them in tow, there is no reason why we can't undertake this trend. The rule of lips or eyes, and not both, is golden, while painting on foundation that is two shades darker can never achieve that Amazonian glow. To put it plainly, simplicity in beauty is paramount and never truly out of fashion.     Looking like clones: Although this may seem hypocritical given my synopsis on the significant styles dominating this year, there is no reason why we should all look the same. Fighting the zeitgeist may be difficult, but it is not impossible, and while trends give us an indication of what is currently most popular, what is most imperative is that we interpret them individually and remain true to our own sensibility and originality.In conclusion, with the end of one year opens up the excitement, expectation and uncertainty of what the next will bring, and this is equally the case when it comes to what you wear. Don’t be afraid to take risks, try something you never deigned would form part of your attire and never forget the wisdom of Coco Chanel who said “Fashion changes, but style endures.”